‘Snake Oil’ or ‘Viper Lipid'? How to Get the Most Out of Your Biostimulant

Abstract

AbstractBiostimulants have much variation in the types of products that fit this group of crop inputs as well as variability within their respective categories. These differences induce many challenges in consistency of product performance and thus skepticism to the class of inputs as a whole. With so many products available on the market, it is challenging to know if these products were developed with adequate science and research or tossed together quickly to take advantage of the momentum this sector currently has. In the latter case, these products are often referred to as “snake oil”; while in the former case, the products could be referred to as “viper lipid” with a place to increase yield or return on investment. Only with a proper understanding of how a product works can a producer then properly place and use it to optimize crop performance, and as importantly, know when not to use it. Earn 1 CEU in Nutrient Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning‐Center/Courses.